Integrative Medicine is defined as the practice of medicine that reaffirms the importance of the relationship between practitioner and patient, focuses on the whole person, is informed by evidence, and makes use of all appropriate therapeutic approaches, healthcare professionals and disciplines to achieve optimal health and healing.
At one point it was labeled as alternative medicine or wholistic medicine. Then in 1999, the Consortium of Academic Health Centers for Integrative Medicine outlined the definition and principles for integrative medicine to make it inclusive of conventional medicine. The term integrative medicine is more appropriate as the medical practitioners use a combination of conventional medicine along with a more naturopathic, patient oriented approach.
INTEGRATVIE THERAPIES
Tools of integrative medicine include, lifestyle modification with diet, exercise and stress reduction, supplements, bodywork, acupuncture, homeopathy, mind-body techniques and energy healing.